Sen. Susan M. Collins

Maddy summaryThis bill increases funding for two key U.S. agricultural export promotion programs. It raises the annual budget for the Market Access Program from $200 million to $400 million and for the Foreign Market Development Cooperator Program from $34.5 million to $69 million, extending these funding levels through 2029 (previously capped at 2023). The bill directly affects U.S. agricultural producers and exporters, including those growing commodities like soybeans, beef, dairy, and wheat, by providing more resources to access international markets. These changes aim to counter competitive disadvantages from foreign competitors and address years of stagnant funding adjusted for inflation.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies timing requirements for two federal energy assistance programs. It requires the Secretary to release application guidance and publish funding allocations within 60 days of funds becoming available for both the Weatherization Assistance Program and the State Energy Program. Additionally, it mandates that funds be distributed "as quickly as practicable" to states, tribes, or other recipients after they submit approved energy conservation plans. The bill directly affects states, Indian Tribes, and other direct recipients of these federal energy assistance programs by streamlining the distribution process. It is a procedural bill focused solely on timing, not altering program eligibility or funding levels.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes federal grants to states for pre-apprenticeship programs that prepare individuals for registered apprenticeships in underserved industries (like tech, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing). States must apply with detailed plans to collaborate with employers, coordinate with existing workforce programs, and prioritize underserved groups (including minorities, veterans, and people with disabilities). Grants cover tuition, materials, and related instruction costs for participants, with federal funding covering 20-50% of expenses and requiring states to use existing resources first. The bill authorizes $15 million annually (2024-2029) and mandates a 2028 report evaluating program effectiveness and state grant usage.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the tax credit limit for homeowners installing qualifying biomass stoves and boilers. It raises the maximum credit to $2,000 for certain stoves/boilers and $8,000 for others under the energy efficient home improvement tax credit. The change directly affects homeowners who purchase and install eligible biomass heating systems after December 31, 2022. The policy amendment modifies the Internal Revenue Code to expand the financial incentive for these energy-efficient home upgrades.

Maddy summaryThe SAFER Act of 2023 prohibits the sale of petroleum products from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to countries designated as "countries of particular concern for religious freedom" under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998. It also requires state-owned entities bidding on SPR auctions to certify they have not purchased oil from countries subject to U.S. sanctions within 15 days of those sanctions taking effect. If a state-owned entity violates this certification, the Secretary of Energy cannot sell SPR products to them. The bill directly affects the U.S. Department of Energy (which manages SPR sales) and international state-owned energy companies participating in SPR auctions.

Maddy summaryThis bill raises the reporting threshold for payment platforms like PayPal or Venmo. It requires these platforms to report transaction data only if a business receives over $20,000 in payments across more than 200 transactions in a year. This change directly affects payment processors and their business users by reducing the volume of transactions they must report to the IRS.

Childhood Cancer Survivorship, Treatment, Access, and Research Reauthorization Act of 2022 or the Childhood Cancer STAR Reauthorization Act This act reauthorizes through FY2028 and modifies pediatric cancer research and related programs, including to expand collection of and access to relevant biospecimens and to support the transition of pediatric cancer survivors to primary care.

Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2021 This act provides for the posthumous presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal in commemoration of Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley. After it is awarded, the medal shall be given to the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Law Enforcement De-Escalation Training Act of 2022 This act directs the Department of Justice (DOJ) to develop scenario-based training curricula (or identify existing curricula) that includes topics such as alternatives to the use of force, de-escalation tactics, and safely responding to an individual experiencing a mental, behavioral health, or suicidal crisis. The act also directs DOJ to make grants to states for costs associated with providing the training to law enforcement officers or mental health professionals.

Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Reauthorization Act of 2022 This act expands the allowable use of grants under the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program. The program provides state, local, and tribal grants to improve the criminal justice system's response to people with mental health disorders. Among the provisions, the act allows funds for diversion and alternative prosecution and sentencing programs to be used for training for state and local prosecutors related to diversion programs; allows funds for multidisciplinary teams to be used to support police officers and mental health crisis workers responding together to mental health calls; and allows grants to be awarded for additional purposes such as suicide prevention programs and services, case management services, and state and local implementation of the 988 suicide hotline. Additionally, the act reauthorizes through FY2027 the requirement for the Department of Justice to examine and report on the prevalence of mentally ill offenders in prisons and jails.